The Royal Academy have a lovely exhibition at the moment about John Singer Sargent and his paintings of the sea. The paintings range from some of his earliest attempts at painting when travelling with his mother to full blown glossy ‘Academic’ works.

Sargent clearly spent a lot of time observing children at the beach, sailors, ships and ports. There are some delightful images of limpid blue French coasts; but equally crowded ports with sail and ropes criss-crossing each other. Also there are some very atmospheric pictures of rising and swelling expanses of waves.

A superb quality show of Sargents.

If you have not been to the Gagosian gallery near Kings Cross now is the time to go as the current exhibition about Picasso and the Mediterranean years should not be missed.

The range and quality of the objects is exceptional: they are a must see for anyone with a passing interest in Picasso. The series of 10 paintings where a traditional bull morphs into just a single line drawing alone is worthwhile.

However added to that are some lovely paintings of the town of Vallauris; charming paintings of his children, funny cardboard cut-outs and great sculptures.

Go enjoy the Gagosian!

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If you have any interest at all in art, drawing or design this is a must see exhibition.

The British Museum have assembled a stunning collection of drawings by Italian giants including Leonardo, Raphael, Fra Angelico and Michelangelo which might never be seen in one building again.

As well as admiring the exquisite expertise, you can learn about the development of perspective, how the artists challenged each other and of course Italian city states.

My favourites include Mantegna’s Lazarus slowly raising himself from the ground; and Leonardo’s infant Christ playing with a cat that looks like you could stroke it.

I have written before about Le Corbusier and not being so keen on influence on later architects therefore I could not pass up the chance while in Marseille to visit one of his most famous buildings the Cite Radieuse.

Seen from the front my previous thoughts were confirmed as the building looks drab and ran down. However going round to the back revealed that the building is being refurbished and gives a clearer impression of the original intention.

The pictures of the refurbishment work show the cleaned up the Cite Radieuse has some good points its still not an excuse for brutalism.

The outside of Van Gogh exhibition at the Royal Academy

The Van Gogh exhibition at the Royal Academy is a must see.

This large show starts from his very early attempts to draw when he decided to become an artist. The progression is visible as due to hard work his skill keeps improving. These works are accompanied by letters to his brother Theo where he describes his efforts often with a small sketch.

Once he moves to Paris the room explodes into colour and the last two rooms are stunning. Fabulous paintings of orchards, countryside and farms not a sunflower or ‘typical’ Van Gogh in sight – prepare to be amazed.

Paul Delaroche’s painting of the execution of Lady Jane Grey is one of my favourite paintings in the National Gallery so I had high expectations of the exhibition about this painting.

However the exhibition is a bit of a mixed bag – there are three majestic paintings by Delaroche – the execution of Lady Jane Grey,  Strafford led to execution; and Cromwell and the corpse of Charles I and I wanted to see more of the same.

The rest of the exhibition is made up of drawings, sketches and background on artists who used similar themes or copied Delaroche’s work. Average.

If you are interested in photographic portraits you will want to go see Irving Penn at the National Portrait Gallery.

Penn clearly had a style all of his own and it noticeable how this style evolved over time. He started with full length portraits often in an awkward corner of a room, to later closer shots with staged artless poses: you will either love or hate the style.

However there are some very charming photos for example Spencer Tracy exuding charm and charisma; similarly Audrey Hepburn and Grace Kelly. Also you can remind yourself of who once was famous.

If you have an hour to spare and don’t want to spend any money get over to the British Museum.

Staffordshire hoard: they are showing a small sample of the biggest hoard ever found of Anglo-Saxon treasures. They are still uncleaned but the quality of the gold and semi-precious stones is clear.

Warriors of the plains: in room 91 (upstairs) there is a fascinating exhibition about the native American from the plains. This includes head-dresses (plus scalps, tomahawks, peace pipes. However these are not John Wayne’s ‘indians’ but a  semi-disappeared culture full of myths, symbols and complex rituals. One for anthropologists.

The exhibition Wild Thing at the Royal Academy finishes soon so if you like modern sculpture go soon.

The concept of showing all three sculptors together works quite and is a good introduction to three very different artists.

Epstein the controversial revolutionary – Rock Drill is still outstandingly modern. Too see more Tate Britain is worth a visit.

Gaudier-Brzeska has been a favourite of mine for his works in Kettle’s Yard, Cambridge – some really delightful animals like the deer on show.

Gill has become notorious for his sex charged life (read Fiona MacCarthy’s biography) which is reflected in his work.

The sacred made real at the National Gallery deals with 17th century Spanish religious art of a hyper real quality. The concept sounds odd however if you have an interest in Spanish, or religious art, it is worth a visit.

The exhibition is unique because of the stunning sculptures of religious figures painted so well painted that they appear real.  The intention is to show the link between artists like Zubaran or Velazques who painted the sculptures and how this influenced their paintings. So we get to see some great Spanish painting and some amazing sculptures – not for the squeamish.

Sculpture of Jesus recumbant

Sculpture of a badly beaten back